Continental unveils intelligent demo car with biometric interaction at CES 2025

At the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Continental is presenting a demo vehicle that showcases new interaction technologies for future automobiles. The “Intelligent Vehicle Experience Car” demonstrates how biometrics can play a role in improving vehicle-user interactions.

The vehicle is designed to recognize users before they enter, using facial recognition and movement analysis to trigger actions such as unlocking the doors or opening the tailgate. It can also identify unauthorised individuals approaching the car, keeping the doors locked and activating a warning if potential threats are detected.

This demo car represents a step forward in the development of software-defined vehicles, where software manages and controls the functions of the car. Continental is exploring the use of biometric technologies, which could become a key feature in future vehicle models, providing a more personalised, intuitive, and secure user experience. Dr. Claudio Longo, Head of Research and Advanced Engineering at Continental, emphasised that biometrics offers significant potential for shaping the future of mobility. Jean-François Tarabbia, Head of Architecture and Network Solutions at Continental, noted that this technology could make vehicles more like smart devices, improving both security and user comfort.

The demo car demonstrates several features that could become commonplace in future vehicles. These include detecting when a person is approaching the vehicle, identifying authorized users through facial recognition, and interpreting user intentions, such as recognising a hand gesture near the door. Additionally, the vehicle can open the trunk when an authorised person looks at it for a brief moment, although in the current generation, it can also be triggered by a small kick near the rear bumper.

The technology in the demo vehicle combines artificial intelligence algorithms with existing vehicle sensors, including 360-degree cameras and ultra-wideband radar, to detect and identify people. These systems are designed to enhance convenience while addressing concerns around energy consumption and data protection. Continental aims to integrate new intelligent functions into vehicles over time through secure, over-the-air updates, further expanding the possibilities for software-driven car features.